MacCoubrey Funeral Home
30 King St. E., Cobourg
MacCoubrey Funeral Home
30 King St. E., Cobourg
MacCoubrey Funeral Home
30 King St. E., Cobourg
This obituary is protected by copyright by MacCoubrey Funeral Home Limited. Proudly serving Northumberland County in the province of Ontario, Canada. All rights reserved.
With broken hearts, we announce the peaceful passing of Marilyn Colleen Meagher Gillespie, surrounded by her family at St. Joseph’s Healthcare in Hamilton, on July 7th, 2025, in her 71st year.
Beloved mother of Jennifer (Bruce) and Melissa. Treasured grandmother of Dalton, Jasmine, Joseph, and Robert. Loving sister to Linda. Predeceased by her son Michael, and by her parents, Harold and Helen.
Born in Belleville, Ontario, on August 26, 1954, Marilyn met and fell in love with Jim Gillespie and began building a family. Her proudest accomplishment was raising her children and being a devoted grandmother.
Marilyn was also a passionate dog mom and the proud founder of Adanta Yorkshire Terriers. As a championship breeder in southern Ontario, she dedicated herself to her yorkies and built a close-knit community of friends—many of whom became like family—through her work and love of the breed. She will be fondly remembered and deeply missed by extended family and friends in Simcoe, Ontario, and across the Yorkshire Terrier world.
The family extends heartfelt thanks to the compassionate doctors, nurses, and support staff at St. Joseph’s Healthcare for their care during Marilyn’s journey.
A celebration of life service will take place at 1:00pm, Friday, July 11th with visitation one hour prior at MacCoubrey Funeral Home, Cobourg, Ontario. Friends and family will be welcome to a reception following the service.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Marilyn’s memory can be made to the Kidney Foundation of Canada or the Ontario Veterinary College Health Sciences Centre.
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Kidney Foundation of Canada
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Kidney Foundation of Canada
Linda.. I am so sorry for the loss of your sister. Know that I am thinking of you at this difficult time. May she RIP.
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Kidney Foundation of Canada
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Kidney Foundation of Canada
Our thoughts, love, and prayers are with you, especially today. We always enjoyed Marilyn's company and are saddened by her passing. Our condolences to you, Jenn, Melissa, Bruce, Dalton, Jasmine, Joseph, and Robert.
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Kidney Foundation of Canada
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Kidney Foundation of Canada
My deepest condolences to the family. Marilyn was a wonderful person with a big heart. She had a passionate love for her yorkies and was the fur grandma to both my boys in which i always provided pictures. I last spoke to Marilyn June 16 for advice on homemade food for boys. Sending lots of love and prayers.
Dear Jennifer and Melissa, My deepest condolences on the passing of your dear mum, Marilyn. I never had the opportunity to meet her but we did talk on the phone for a good hour and a half a few years ago welcoming me to the family. She had such kindness, compassion, and understanding. I will never forget that call and what it meant to me. A heart like hers is rare. I’m sure there is a special place in Heaven for your mum. I will keep you all in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. Judy xxx
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Kidney Foundation of Canada
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Kidney Foundation of Canada
Jennifer and Melissa - Dave and I are so very sorry to hear about your Mom. I remember all the fun times we had in Foxboro with both your Dad and Mom. Your Dad picked my sister up at the train station one night at 1am because her train was late and Dave was out of town on business, my sister was a little surprised when Jim told her he was there to pick her up but she got in his car. Your Mom was always there for me, watching Julie so I could run out to Consumers Distributing when they finally got some Cabbage Patch dolls in, watching Julie when I went into labour with Kim, watching Julie and Kim when I went into labour with Andrew, helping Dave and I put together a swing set in the dark with flashlights after Julie went to bed so we could surprise her in the morning for her birthday! She also bought Julie her first bike! She treated our kids like her own. I remember how she always called Julie ‘pal'. One Thanksgiving I ordered a ‘fresh’ turkey only to find out when I picked it up the day before the big day that it was frozen, your Mom came to my rescue again taking me to her friend Rosemary’s house who happened to have a microwave so we could thaw the bird. The Gillespie door was always open for our family. Your Mom was a very caring, loving and giving person. I know you will miss her everyday. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your families. Bev and Dave xo
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Kidney Foundation of Canada
Marilyn, you brought so much joy to everyone through your beautiful Yorkies. Your dedication to your furry family was second to none. I know my Lincoln will greet you fondly in heaven along with all your other babies. When you responded to my inquiry about getting another Yorkie from you last week because Lincoln had just passed away and you wrote me back to let me know you were unwell, my heart went into my throat. My condolences to your family and friends. May you hang on to those beautiful memories of your mom and take solace in the knowledge that her life made such an impact on others. She will be missed.
We are extremely sorry to learn of Marilyn’s passing. Our hearts ache for her beautiful family. We loved Marilyn. We proudly adopted Divine Selene of Adanta Yorkshire Terriers. She was a gift and now we are parents of Prince Coby the II. We know that Selene has found you in heaven, along with many of your other beloved Yorkies. We will miss you greatly. Thank you for spreading positivity and love throughout the world. Rest peacefully. Sending light and love.
“I’m so sorry to hear this sad news. I didn’t know Marilyn personally, but I bought a puppy from her who just turned one on July 7th. I’m grateful for the joy she brought into my life through him.” RIP
Our heartfelt condolences on the passing of your mom Marilyn. We were delighted to meet her at a time of despair in our lives when our beloved first Yorkie Roxy passed. She responded to my desperate query for a puppy and a few short weeks later we had our beloved Mabel. Marilyn was an extraordinary breeder who provided us with such an affectionate and well-adjusted baby. We are so sad that the world will no longer have Marilyn’s love and nurturance passing on through Yorkies. Undoubtedly it will be passed on through you and her grandchildren. Peace to your family during this time of great sorrow. Warmest care, Nanci, Neil, and Mabel
We met Marilyn five years ago when we "passed the interview" process at her home and we purchased one of her beautiful Yorkies, now known as Lucy. Marilyn loved her Yorkies and they would not leave her home unless she was absolutely certain they were going to a good home. Marilyn became our go-to for taking care of Lucy when we were on holidays and we tried to reciprocate by helping Marilyn with trips to doctor's appointments, picking up her dog food supplies and generally, hopefully, being available if she needed our help. Marilyn was a wonderful individual, she knew her mind and both Wenda and I enjoyed her company, her love of Yorkies and her always positive outlook. We will miss Marilyn immensely, for her advice on Lucy's health and her kindness to our family. Rest in peace, Marilyn and enjoy the love of Michael and all those Yorkies running around at your feet. Wayne and Wenda Moore
David and Denise Lyrette Are sending you n the family some our deepest sympathy n sending you all of our prayers
To Jennifer, Melissa and family! My heart is broken but has been profoundly touched because I met Marilyn. She was and is so much more than a friend, she was like a sister to me... She introduced me to the world of "Yorkshire terriers" that filled our home with an abundance of love. Because of these sweet souls my parents last years were filled with love, joy and laughter. I met her when I got my first girl, Holly back in 2010. Then it was Sadie, Tiffany and Gemma..She always said they are like a bag of chips, its hard to have just one. She had a big heart, joyous laugh and lived a big life in a humble simple way! What you saw is what you got!! I am blessed with so many good memories. She taught me a lot... a lot about life and friendship. A great blessing is that I have been introduced to all of you!! You will always be in my prayers!! Much love to you all...
Heartfelt condolences on the loss of your Mom may she rest in peace